West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-06-30
THE CAPTAINS TRUST.
BY II. \. RILEY.

BY r. 4. RILEY.
Stories of shipwreck are common. The
wide ocean swallows up many who ven
ture upon it's treacherous waters. and
many who escape with their lives. after
their vessel has gone down into the
briny food, can only look back with a
shudder of horror at the perils and priva-
tlons they have passed through.
In the days before steamships were i'm
vogue, the well-built and scaworthy BRIG
Tornado, commanded 10y Captain John
Murray, used TO make an occasional trim
between the city of New Orleans and the
city of New York, carrying such passcn-
gers as desired to make the voyage. On
one of these occasions un unusually LARGE
number of passengers embarked on board
the vessel at New Orleans. Among this
number was a slender young Girl. about
seventeen years OF age, OF remarkable
beauty, who had been placed i'm charge of
tho Captain by her relatives, with the re-
quest that She should be landed at Charlce-
ton, South Carolina, where the vessel ex-
pected to touch. This young girl was
named Adelaide Bronson, Who had been
on visit TO her brother in New Or
leans, and now returning 20 her
parents in Charleston The passengers
soon discovered that, in addition to be-
ing remarkably beautiful, Adelaide was
very Intelligent, and possessed all other
qualities necessary TO insure admiration.
Captain John Murray felt his heart warm
toward her from the first The Captain
was not, as one might suppose, a rough
old sea dog, who by years of command
over his men had acquired bluff air and
a stern demeanor but was young, with
hn, Il al.
air, yet the set of his mouth ana the stately
poise of his head showed that he pos
sessed will-powcr that would carry him
through dangers and difficulties wherein
a vast majority would fail. His men
loved, respected, feared, and obeyed him.
Captain Murray was unmarried, and it
was natural that his heart should warm
toward the most lovable, the most beauti-
full female he had ever beheld; and he
conducted himself toward her with his
natural gallantry, and showed her those
delicate attentions which a lady of her
intelligence could duly appreciate. The
voyage was commenced under favorable
auspices. After having once cleared the
Mississippi, smackiug breeze carried
the brig swiftly forward upon her course.
AT this rate, said the Captain TO his
mate, eve shall be opposite TO Havana
In two days at the furthcst' The vessel
sped onward under the influence Of the
fine breeze, and in a little less than forty
eight hours had arrived mt Key West
City, on Key West Island, south OF
Florida, which is about one hundred and
fifty miles northwest Of Havana.
stopping here for a few hours, the brip
resumed her course, steering south Of the
Florida Reefs upon which so many YES
sells arc annually wrecked. For five or
six hours the vessel kept steadily on its
way. All at once there burst upon the
brig one of those sudden and furious
storms so common in that latitude. II
came up so quickly that they had not
time to prepare the vessel before il was
upon them
Bronzcd-checkcd sailors turned pale
who had never felt fear before. for in
spite of all the efforts of the gallant crew.
the furious tornado was bearing its name.
sake directly toward the fatal Florida
Reefs Onward the vessel u.hcd. scud-
ding under bare poles, for every sail was
split to ribbons. The chain OF low islands
called the Florida reefs was not vet i'm
view when the storm began TO hui and
hope sprang up once more A storm
stay-sail was tried and found 20 bear
Other sails were being bent, when sud.
denly a crashing grating noise was heard
along the vessels keel.
All. we're done for now" exclaimed
the Captain 20 his ilst mate. I'VE have
rushed over one Of the suuken reefs. Go
below and sec what is the damage. while
order the men to man the pumps so as
80 have them ready i'm case we can do any
good with them.
say ny sir" spouded the mate. ne
Re bounded down into the hold. lie
soon returned with an ashen hue upop
his face, and said " I fear, sir. the pumps
will be Of little use; the water is rushing
In at q dozen great rents faster than forty
times the number Of pumps we have could
pump it out
'How long do YOU suppose we can keen
ahOatl ~ asked the Captain calmly thoupb
his face EXPRESSED the anxiety hc felt
Twenty minutes and not more than
thirty 40 the furthcst.n
The gureling sound of the water rush
ing into the hold was now plainly TO be
heard. The passengers were collected
around, holding on as best they could TO
keep the lurchiug of tho vessel from
throwing them overheard, and manifest
ing great distress, with the execution Of
small group who had collected near the
Captain, and among this group was Adc.
laidc Bronson Captain Murray pave one
glance upon Adelaide, a hopeless longing
glance, and then looked out upon the
stormy sea. The waves were dashinO
high, and the prospect indeed seemed
hopeless.
All at once the captain placed his